Roots tug at Deion Branch

WR open to return

Credit: Matt Stone (file)

COMEBACK KID? If Seahawks receiver Deion Branch had his druthers, he would be returning to the Patriots next season. (File)

Deion Branch’s name has been floated around frequently as a possible candidate to help fill the Patriots’ needs at wide receiver.

Yesterday, in wake of reports that Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he would not release Branch, but might be open to trading him, the Herald spoke with the Super Bowl XXXVIII MVP to gauge his interest in returning to Foxboro.

Tom Brady’s former go-to guy gave an enthusiastic thumb’s up. Branch said he harbors no ill feelings toward Patriots coach Bill Belichick or the organization despite the contract dispute that led to his departure four years ago.

“(Going back to the Patriots) would be interesting to see. You know what, I talk to guys all the time. I never wanted to leave, nor did coach Belichick and his staff and the organization want me to leave, either,” Branch said last night. “We just couldn’t get the contractual part down. We just couldn’t come to an agreement. And that stuff happens.

“I still love coach Belichick, and if the opportunity presents itself to come back, I would love to be there.”

Branch had a special chemistry with Brady and a knack for unspoken communication with the quarterback. Naturally, he said he wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end of No. 12’s passes for a second go-round.

“I still talk to Tom to this day,” said Branch, a 2002 second-round draft pick of the Pats, “and the crazy part is, you never lose that relationship with guys, especially when you do something special, which is what we did in my first four years in New England. I still talk with half of the team. To this day, I still talk with half of the guys that were on the team with me. It’s a special bond. For us to reunite, I don’t know. I would probably be crying at the press conference, if it happens.

“Look, I’ve enjoyed my time with the Seahawks. I would love to stay in Seattle. But if it happens, if it presents itself, that would be great.”

Asked what made playing with Brady so rewarding, Branch gushed.

“Playing with that guy is the best,” Branch said. “He’s going to bring the best out of you because he’s a great competitor. . . .

“He is by far the best quarterback to play the game of football.”

Branch is due base salaries of $5.47 million this year, and $5.95 million next year on the terms of the six-year, $39 million pact he signed in 2006 with Seattle, where he was traded by the Pats in exchange for an ’07 first-round pick (safety Brandon Meriweather).

During his four years in Seattle, Branch has had 177 catches while missing 17 games due to injury. Now 30, Branch said he feels great, and still has a lot to offer.

“I understand the business. I’ve been traded before. I know how it is,” Branch said. “If I stay (in Seattle), I’m happy. If it happens, if they trade me, I understand. Then someone else gets the next-best four years of my career. I know for a fact I have four great years ahead of me, simply because of my work ethic.”

Some critics believe the 5-foot-9, 192-pound receiver has lost some of his trademark quickness due to the major knee surgery he underwent two years ago. He disagrees.

“I’m great. It probably didn’t look that way (last year). But everything is good,” said Branch, who had 45 catches for 437 yards in 2009. “I’m just looking forward to next season whether it’s with Seattle or somewhere else.”